outside balmer

We are safely here in Baltimore, or wherever we actually are.   Hunt Valley, Maryland, according to the label on the phone.

The plane over was a little too interesting.  Storms up and down the east coast.  Alan Steele's plane got grounded at Dulles, less than a hundred miles south.  Ours orbited a great circle around BWI (Baltimore-Washington International) eight times, waiting for the storms to open an avenue to the runway.

Then we had to wait at BWI for another hour, for other peoples' flights to come in.  The convention's van was taking six of us to the hotel, maybe 45 minutes away.

We left San Diego about three in the afternoon, which would be noon Eastern time.  Got here at 1:30 in the morning.

The flight was less interesting in other aspects.  Old plane with no movie.  So I've got these nifty new earphones but couldn't use them.   Squeezed into the middle seat in a budget flight.   Only thirteen and a half hours.

This continent is too wide.

It does explain to me how they can sell first-class seating for jaw-dropping prices.  It's not just creature comfort, but the prevention of paralysis.  Plus being able to work, rather than juggling stuff trying not to spill your Coke onto your laptop while someone's baby screams in your ear and the fat guy next to you falls asleep at a 45-degree angle.

How long would that train ride be?

Anyhow, a few days' rest before climbing aboard again.

Joe